Indianapolis' Black Expo
Sunday Gospel concert to conclude Summer Celebration with focus on spirituality July 17, 2015
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Black Expo’s Summer Celebration kicked off with a spiritual focus and will end with spiritually driven music at the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.
The gospel concert is the big finale for Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration. It will take place from 3-6:30 p.m. on Sunday July 19 in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center. Sunday is also this year’s “free admittance” day for the entire Expo. Spirituality is an important part of black culture and important to IBE, according to Dr. David A. Hampton, senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church. “The church in the African American community has always been the epicenter of information, activity, encouragement and identity for African Americans,” Hampton said. “You can never go wrong when you can gather people together in prayer, in unity and on one accord to reflect upon themselves, their community, and to seek peaceful dialogue….that’s what Black Expo is all about.” Church leaders aren’t the only people who place value in spirituality. Many musicians use it in their work, specifically gospel music performers. Gospel recording artist Lamar Campbell, who lives in Indianapolis, said that “we would be surprised at how much gospel music is on people’s iPods.” Campbell went on to explain how there are so many subliminal messages that cause people to act out negatively, but gospel music does just the opposite for its listeners. Campbell describes gospel music as songs that reach people’s hearts, are uplifting and bring joy. “When people go to a gospel concert, it’s almost impossible to leave the same way you came,” Campbell said. He also had a message for those who do not listen to gospel music. He said it's becoming more mainstream, and has the same production value as pop and R&B. “Don’t get caught up on the stereotype of what you think gospel music is…it’s becoming integrated into the music of the world,” Campbell said. “I just recently did a couple of [gospel] songs with Kanye West.” The Gospel Tour will showcase music from every genre within the gospel music industry, including contemporary, traditional, inspirational, hip-hop and comedy. According to the tour’s official site, the show “promises to inspire, entertain, and spread a whole lot of love.” Lonnie Hunter, gospel musician and radio personality, and comedian Small Fry are hosting the event. Featured artists include Donald Lawrence and Dorenda Clark-Cole, both of whom have won multiple Grammy awards. Other featured artists include Rickey Dillard, Tasha Page-Lockhart and Dewayne Woods, who have all had albums place on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. The Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is on its ninth year, which has 14 dates including the Summer Celebration performance. Listen to a selection of songs from artists featured at the gospel concert
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